Bhim App: launched

Prime Modi has today launched Aadhaar based mobile payment application called BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money). The app is rebranded version of UPI (Unified Payment Interface) and USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data). PM lanched the at the Digi Dhan Mela event in Talkatora stadium in New Delhi. At the event, PM also made payment to Khadi using the Bhim mobile application.

What is UPI

Unified Payment Interface(UPI) is an instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). UPI is built over the IMPS infrastructure and allows you to instantly transfer money between any two parties bank accounts by using a smartphone. UPI allows a customer to pay directly from a bank account to different merchants, both online and offline, without the hassle of typing credit card details, IFSC code, or net banking/wallet passwords.

What is USSD

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a Global System for Mobile(GSM) communication technology that is used to send text between a mobile phone and an application program in the network. Applications may include prepaid roaming or mobile chatting.

What is BHIM App

BHIM stands for Bharat Interface for Money. It is an aggregator for all UPI-based services offered by banks.

Features of BHIM APP:

BHIM stands for Bharat Interface for Money.

Bhim is a realtime cashless transaction scheme which will facilitate easier e-transactions.

The app would eliminate the fee payments that is required for using services of providers like card companies.

The app is developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

The will be available for download on Andriod stores.

The APP uses UPI system and as UPI is built on top of Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), the transaction takes place in realtime.

Language supported: Hindi and English.

Almost 40 crore Aadhaar numbers already stand linked to bank accounts – that is half the adults in India. The aim is to link all Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts by March, 2017, so that the app can be used universally.

Procedure for Working:

Merchants need to download the Aadhaar based merchant app (BHIM) on their smartphones. Then the smartphone has to be connected to biometric reader, which is currently available for Rs 2,000. The customer will then feed his or her Aadhar number into the app, select the bank through which the transaction will take place, and the biometric scan will work as a password for the transaction to be authenticated.